A retrospective analysis of relapse rates and medication compliance in bipolar I and bipolar II disorders: a comparative study

Abstract

Background and objective:
Bipolar disorder is a chronic, serious mental health condition characterized by mood episodes, and medication
non-compliance is a significant predictor of relapse. The objective of this study was to investigate the relapse rates and medication compliance in patients with bipolar I and II disorders.
Methods:
This retrospective observational study was conducted at Karwan-e-Hayat Institute for Mental Health Care, Karachi, Pakistan. Medical records of 377 patients diagnosed with bipolar I or bipolar II disorder between July 2019 and June 2022 were retrieved from the Hospital Management System (HMS). Diagnosis was confirmed using DSM-IV criteria. Medication compliance was assessed through prescription refill records, follow-up visits, and clinical documentation. Relapse was defined as any mood episode requiring hospitalization. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data, and the Chi-square (x²) test was applied to compare groups. A p-value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results:
Relapse rates and medication compliance were compared between the two groups using statistical analysis. Results showed that patients with bipolar I disorder had a significantly higher relapse rate (63%) compared to those with bipolar II disorder (15.2%). Additionally, medication non-compliance was more common in the bipolar I group (27.5%) than in the bipolar II group (8.2%).
Conclusion:
These findings highlight the importance of medication adherence and regular follow-up in preventing relapse,
particularly in patients with Bipolar I disorder.